The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1887-05-07
COMET-CATCHING.


a# ~.
Some Picturesque Details About a New
American Industry.
It is pleasing to note that Amcrican indus
tries are continually growing and additional
facilities for money-making arc constantly
being discovered.
One Of the latest methods Of obtaining the
cart-whecl dollar is to. 20 into the comet
hunting industry.
Comets are worth money now. Formerly
they had no monetary value, and were used
chiefly to Brighten people, who regarded
them rs signs Of war or Of the approach Of a
new poem from tho Poet Laureate, or Of
some other disaster.
1t remained for IN enterprising American
to make them an article of ommercc, and
now these celestial nomads command a good
price.
A gcntleman by the name Of Warner is in
the market buying all the comets that can
be secured. AS a consequence comet-catch-
ing has become n rcmunerative sport, and
one man has bagged no less than 1000
worth Of them in q year ortwo, without in
tcrfering with his ordinary vocation.
That is enough money to buy his wife a
spring bonnet.
Comets arc hunted after sunset only, as
during the day they manage to, keep them
selves hidden.
As they arc accustomed to roam at a con.
siderable distance from tho hunter, n long
range b~reech-loading telescope is necessarily to
the sport. But, once sighted, the capture OF
the game is easy. All that it is necessary to
do is to draw a bead on the animal, stake out
a claim in tho surrounding space and tcIc-
graph to Mr.. Warnert that you have captured
4 comet, and arc ready to deliver the goods.
Comets seldom escape after this. After
being shot, even though not fatally wounded,
they considerably loaf in the vicinity until
Mr.. Warner has had m opportunity to cx-
anime his purchase and brand it with his
monogram. I nm not certain what he feeds
his comets with, but l think the food is
called posse. At NIL events, l oncc heard n
man speak about the posse comet ate lis. So
1suppose,he was II Of Mr.. Warmers comet
feeders. ~ .sa
lido not know what Mr.. Warmers little
scheme is in buying up tho entire comctary
production.
Perhaps he wants to corner the market.
Perhaps he wants to form n company,
water the stock, boom prices and then unload
on IN unsusrecting public. Such things
have been done with other forms Of property.
Perhaps he intends to can their meat an6
label It Aboned turkcy," t'.springc chicken ,"etc.
Perhaps he intends to melt them down and
uscthc fat rs m adulterant Of lard when cot
ton-sced oil gets scarce.
Whatever may DO his object, he takcs all
the comets he can get. His, only stipulation
is that they must be fresh. Like eggs, comets
nre Of no uso when fatigucd. All attempts
to palm secondhand or stale comets off -uon
Mr.. Warner prove failures.
While he insists upon their freshness he is
not particular rs to their race, color or previ.
Gus condition Of scrvitude. I'D
They may be knock-knecd, pigeon-toed,,
bow-legged, broken-winded, spawned, af-
nictcd with poll-cvil, troubled with bolts, or
they, may even be ~cross-eycd, if they are
strictly fresh. He'll take them all at 500
each, and he asks no discountif half adozcn
or-morc arc taken to his shop at once.
49,. Y EN-gfht lfts MN IT Sfv,rep